'Pace yourself!' was the instruction we originally received before tucking into a multi-course James Bond food and drink extravaganza.
‘That’s not very in the style of James Bond,’ I thought to myself, as I imagined the infamous spy having little restraint in many aspects of life, especially on the subject of pleasure.
The event was taking place at one of my favourite venues in London, The Distillery on Portobello Road, and I was sat in the upstairs private dining room with 20 other guests.
There was a group of Americans, a man from Norway and Londoners, all brought together by one thing - ...

Ultra-premium London Dry Gin, Berkeley Square, is set to unveil its exquisite new look for the first time with an exclusive residence, GINTESSENTIAL, at prestigious Mayfair members’ club, Morton’s.
Open to club members and Londoners alike from September 5th to the 28th, guests are invited to step into a cocktail oasis like no other featuring bespoke serves using Berkeley Square Gin.
The GINTESSENTIAL menu, co-created by Berkeley Square Gin and Morton’s head bartender, Constantino Armocida, includes a selection of gin cocktails that show the versatility of the UK’s favourite spirit, and also ...

What does a cut of tender grouse, a knickerbocker glory and a moreish martini all have in common?
They’re all on the menu at 45 Jermyn St, a smart restaurant tucked away in Mayfair which is well worth checking out.
The eatery, which is actually within fine food purveyor Fortnum & Mason, serves up an array of classic and seasonal dishes with grouse season now in full swing.
I ventured to dinner on a Friday night and the place had a great buzz. Taking a corner table, I instantly felt at ease with low lighting and some soft jazz music setting the mood.
The cosy interiors were designed by...

Finding a rooftop in London where you can drink well-mixed cocktails and eat good food is a pretty hard combination.
But the new roof at The Trafalgar St James hotel hits both spots.
I try to avoid central London when I can, but sat on the top deck of this new spot I felt a world away from the hustle and bustle downstairs.
We picked a couch table, with views of the city skyline peeping out before us and chefs busily whipping up dishes from the open kitchen.
There was a good atmosphere, with upbeat music and chatter from other guests setting the tone.
It was a really hot evening, so we put...

If you love a bit of classical music and delicious food, then tune into The Ivy Kensington Brassiere for its latest offering.
The perfectly appointed restaurant has crafted a special menu around this year’s BBC Proms.
We checked into the eatery on a Sunday evening at 6pm before an 8pm concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
With it being a warm evening, we decided to take a table in the tucked-away terrace area.
To kick things off, we decided to try the two musical inspired cocktails.
The Strawberry Symphony features a delicious mix of Chase vodka, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, watermelon cube...

For a taste of old-school London, Le Caprice hits the spot.
This classic restaurant, tucked away in the heart of Mayfair, oozes sophistication without being stuffy.
Think Art Deco-style interiors, David Bailey photographs and smartly-dressed waiters brimming with charm.
I hit the restaurant on a Monday night and the place was abuzz, with a bubbling of chatter and jazz piano lifting the mood.
The outside terrace was full, but we were shown to a lovely little table towards the back of the restaurant, with light flooding in through the window.
To set things off, we went for a couple of vodka...

I’m already plotting my return to Black Roe.
I felt pretty deflated when I went, not because of the fodder, but because I didn’t leave room for dessert.
It was only when I saw the enormous sundae glide by that I realised my dining error.
Simply described as a ‘Shake and Bake’ on the menu the Black Roe pudding doesn’t give too much away. But from the 'oohs and ahhs' sounding from the diners over the way it is clearly pretty tasty.
As are the savoury dishes at Black Roe - not to mention the interiors.
The eatery, tucked away in a nook of Mayfair, oozes sexiness without parading it too much....

If you think you've had a top-notch piece of steak, I’d urge you to head to Smith & Wollensky, and compare your feed to one of their colossal cuts.
My friend and I were left silently in awe after a recent visit to the smart New York-styled spot, located off the Strand.
Our knifes sliced through our steaks with ease and the pink meat was dripping with flavour.
When our Greek waiter Spiros served up the giant hunks of beef I didn't think I would manage the whole thing.
But it was all so delicious, I swiftly polished it off with my knife and fork making fast work.
I'd ordered a 680g Sign...

After living in New York I’m used to things being 24/7 but London is a little sleepier and things tend to shut prematurely.
But that’s why Duck & Waffle is such a joy. A chic restaurant that runs around the clock with unbeatable views of the city.
I had a friend flying in from Norway on a Friday night with a 8pm touchdown to Gatwick, which meant he wouldn’t get into town for at least 90 minutes.
Duck & Waffle was the perfect solution to our late-night dining conundrum and I managed to snag a booking at the much-sought after spot for 10pm.
From the get-go this place oozes fun and a sens...